Saturday, 21 July 2012

HAPPY MAIL - TAG SWAP



...if we all did things we were capable of doing we would literally astonish ourselves...
- Thomas Edison -


...hello everyone...today I have the pleasure of sharing with you a Swap I have done with a very talented lady who's blog is an absolute delight to browse through...you'll find many treasures in all styles of crafting and if your ever looking for inspiration this is the place to be from vintage to rainbow brights you'll be wow''d by her creativity...

...we decided on a HEART themed Tag and here is what Mr Postie delivered to me...


...a lot more than just a Tag!...


...how gorgeous is this, I adore hearts of all shapes, sizes & textures...


...metal wings...


...superb techniques...


...a very fitting sentiment...


...finished off with a delightful bloom...

...if you haven't already guessed my Swap has been with the loVely Trace Metcalfe who has won many awards for her work...


...but it doesn't stop there, also in my parcel was many many envelopes full of gorgeous Die Cuts and another Tag with a personal message on the back...



...a wonderful surprised to recieve all this candy, I was blown away by Trace's generosity, her kindness has touched my heart...this has been my first Swap and I hope there will be many more, thank you so so much Trace your Tags adorn my wall...xxx

...here is what I made in return...


...I covered a Tag with Ranger Tissue Tape and embossed it with the Tree Branch folder...


...I added walnut DI splats & white emulsion splodges, The whole Tree was coloured in Walnut & the eye-let is a washer coated with embossing powders...


...I coated a wooden heart in Barn Door then loaded it with distress crackle, once dried I repeated the process and heated, while still hot I dropped embossing power in random patches then heated again, the effect is what you see above it was a total experiment! (at school I was rubbish at chemistry too)...


...I made a wire mesh and added the word sacred...


...I covered the back of the Tag and added a faux leather topper with a embossed sentiment...


...when I get time I will do a tutorial on how to achieve the effect on the heart, I know there are a lot of piccy's but I hope you have enjoyed looking at them...
...thank you for dropping by today I'm really glad your here...
xxx














37 comments:

  1. Your tag is amazing! Thanks so much for all the very things you have said..made me blush! ..I love your tag and will treasure it! You truly are a kind soul, much love trace. X
    Hope to swap again soon! X

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  2. As I said over at inkypinkycraft... this is a really enviable swap - either of them dropping through my letterbox would make me a very happy bunny!! I loved seeing all the photos (as you'll know from over at mine, I'm a fan of lots of photos!), especially when there's this much gorgeous detail to be seen. Look forward to the tutorial! Really great work from both (I know you specified hearts, but I love that you both went with wings too!).
    Alison x

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  3. Mel, it's truly inspiring, that heart is an absolute genius idea, you may have been crap at chemistry but you're an arty alchemist now! It's wonderful and I love it very much. Trace's tag is fabulous too, I love her style she's very talented, the clear embossing powder over her tag looks superb. What a lot of fun you both must have had. What a great result for you both. Michelle x

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  4. Wow what happy mail indeed Mel, How wonderful to arrange a swap with the lovely Trace... your tag is AmAzing as always and Trace's Tag is also two Brillant tags for two wonderful creative lovely ladies... enjoy!!! Hugs May x x x

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  5. Lucky you - what a fabulous parcel to get. Both tags are amazing, so much texture and detail. Two very talented ladies xxx

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  6. Beautiful stuff Mel. Love your tag, the texture on the heart is awesome. I love Trace's blog and work. Lucky you getting to do a swap.
    Love the 12 x 12 below as well. I like working in those types of things. where are you swapping?
    I always get nervous when sending stuff to people and am always blown away with what I have been lucky enough to receive.
    sorry I have missed some posts, manic here and getting ready for my holls. Happy crafting, mark x

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  7. Wow, Mel, gorgeous happy mail! You're both so lucky to receive such fab creations.....awesome work.
    Hugs Jo x

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  8. Oh Mel, both wonderful tags! Di xx

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  9. Amazing work on both of those tags fabulous creations, I also love the wild west piece you have below on this page , Super work Mel Hugs Elaine

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  10. Both very beautiful tags. I adore the heart on yours Mel and the wire work is stunning! Two very happy ladies tonight methinks!!
    Juliaxx

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  11. Already following the work of the uber-talented Trace. She's a crafting star, and what lovely pressies to receive. Yours is just as good too Mel. Love it when you do that twisted metal caging. What lovely people crafters can be. Thanks for sharing, hugs Buttons x

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  12. LOL re the chemistry Mel, love that wire mesh caging though, fabulous and what lovely goodies you received in return.

    Sam xxx

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  13. Hi Mel, what a wonderful parcel to receive from Trace, yes she is amazing, I love her stuff so it is no surprise she wins many things. Your tag is gorgeous too, I hope you do find time to do a tutorial on the heart, is it amazing as is the rest of your work. You are very inspiring! Crafty hugs, Anne x

    PS I love all your photos, please don't cut down on them

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  14. This looks like a fantastic swap between you and Tracey. Both pieces are very talented and creative.
    x catherine

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  15. Hi Mel, just visiting for the first time and am really inspired by all the gorgeous tags on your blog posts. I think it's time for me to spread my wings and try a bit of mixed media. Helen (Sydney)

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  16. I can only repeat......both tags are stunning. Cooooooool swap. Please invite me, next time (:o)
    xoxo Elly

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  17. Wow...all these tags are superb. Yours included. I love the last photo of the faux leather and the fab words.

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  18. Hi Mel, so glad to see you get a lovely parcel in the mail, I know how fun that is!! Your tag and the one you recieved are both beautiful and full of great techniques!! waving hi from the hills of North Carolina :)

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  19. What a great swap you are both so talented.

    Love Chrissie xx

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  20. Both tags are stunning. I love yours, so textural, & I love the colours of the one you received.

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  21. LOVE the tags and what a haul you got sure wish I had been on the end of that wow I haven't made a tag in a while and I love the metal wings this is on my list today... loved the wire over the heart made me think "captured my heart" okay off I go have a blessed Sunday

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  22. Your Sacred Heart is stunning! I love the way You framed it in that grunge background with the wire mesh over it. My hat is off too you.

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  23. Your tags just blow me away. Wonderful inspiring pieces.
    Keep smiling and creating. Happy mail is good mail!!

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  24. Both tags are stunning but your Sacred Heart is amazing!! A fabulous tag and you both must be so proud and honoured to have swapped and received them...
    Love and hugs, Emma xx

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  25. I saw these posted on Trace's blog, they are fantastic tags, and so different!

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  26. Hi Mel both tags are amazing and it never fails to amaze me how generous crafty folks are...wouldn't the world be a nicer place if everyone took up crafting...hugs kath xxx

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  27. Both of you did well in your swap. It is always a treat when your swap partner's art and generosity exceed your expectations. I would say both of you won in that swap.

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  28. two gorgeous tags...two very happy ladies! TFS xx

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  29. Both really superb. Love the colors too.
    Sending big hugs your way...

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  30. Hi Mel

    Long time no drooling over your lovely makes .. .. .. so sorry!! I am sure life will calm down a little soon (perhaps) LOL!!!

    What a wonderful swap. Both tags are gorgeous.

    Can't wait to see the tutorial for that amazing heart!

    Hope all is good with you.

    Love Jules xx

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  31. The great post on your blog, it really gives me an insight on this topic.

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  32. What a fantastic swap!!!! I love all of these...swooning really! I would be proud to own any! Fantastic!

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  33. WOW...Lucky you...what a fabulous trade. Both tags are Amazing...so many lovely textures and details made by two very talented artists...Jan x

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  34. Hey Mel, looks like we've been announced, so pleased to see a pic of you and May on It's Crafting Time! This is really exciting. lol Michelle xx

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  35. Great post today. The swap tags are both lovely. The heart on your tag is so cool, love the textures.

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  36. What an amazing tag; the heart is incredible, fantastic texture, but I do love every single inch of the tag!!!

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...thank you so much for taking the time to drop by my blog...Mel :)